Anthurium: A Guide for Growing and Planting in the Home

Is anthurium a good indoor plant?

Anthurium belongs to the Araceae family and is a symbol of hospitality. There are close to 1,000 flowering species of anthurium. It is also known as tail flower, flamingo flower, and lace leaf. While large, heart-shaped, red anthurium flowers are commonly found, you can also get these flowers in yellow, burgundy, green, pink, white colours, etc. Although the pretty anthurium can grow outside in hot weather, it often finds place inside many houses and makes for a good indoor plant, matching with the home décor. Read on to know how to grow and take care of anthurium plants and get one for your house.

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What are the benefits of an anthurium plant?

This easy to maintain plant, while being a good luck plant, is also listed in NASA’s air purifying plants group, making it a popular indoor plant everywhere.
The dark green leaves of an anthurium absorb ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene from air, thus, purifying the home.

See also: All about Areca Palm benefits

How to grow anthurium plants indoor?

To plant an anthurium by cutting its stem, take a pot and ensure proper drainage of water by making a small hole at the bottom of the pot.
Take the anthurium stem, trim its leaves while leaving at least one leaf bud in the stem.
Plant the anthurium cutting in the pot in a way there is some distance between the pot’s base and the cutting so that the plant’s roots can develop in a few weeks’ time. Try to take a big pot where the anthurium can continue to grow for a long time to avoid repotting (repotting is not necessary in case of anthurium).
Fill the pot with clay, manure and water it regularly. Note, when you water the soil, it needs to be moist and not be soaked in water.
Anthurium are epiphytic in nature. They grow on other plants instead of soil. As the plant grows, you will notice it may start stooping or falling. Give additional support to an anthurium by tying it with a stick or a garden skewer/garden stake.

How do I take care of my anthurium?

Anthuriums are native to South America, Central America and the Caribbeans. Thus, they grow beautifully in places with high humidity. To take care of it, regularly water it whenever the top layer of soil appears to be dry.

Also read all about Jade plants benefits and how to take care of them

Does anthurium need direct sunlight?

Anthurium needs medium to bright sunlight for its flowers to bloom but can also grow in low sunlight. Keep the anthurium in a place that gets sunlight. However, avoid direct sunlight for the plant to grow and blossom.

Propagating Anthurium

You can propagate Anthurium by placing a fcutting of the stem in water. Ensure that leaves of the Anthurium are not submerged in water as then there is a chance of root rot. For the Anthurium to pick pace of growth, place the cutting in bright light. Once you see roots, you can propagate them in a pot with soil. In case you like to grow them water, you can replace the water and allow it to grow.

How often do you water anthurium?

An indoor anthurium plant requires a medium level of water. Watering the anthurium plant also depends on the season. If it is summer, water the plant every two to three days. If it’s rainy or winter season, water as per the need of the plant. Let the soil dry before you water. Ensure that the water drains out completely from the pot.

Also read: Snake plant maintenance tips

How to trim the anthurium plant?

While trimming the anthurium plant, take the top-down approach. Prune all the old, dry leaves and dead flowers of the stem’s base.

Is an anthurium plant good Feng Shui?

Love and friendship, both are related to the heart-shaped anthurium flowers. As per Feng Shui plants, anthurium is considered lucky in relationships. It is believed that placing an anthurium plant in the south-west corner of a house, brings luck.

Types of Anthurium

Belonging to the arum family, there are more than 1000 types of Anthurium that come in different shapes and sizes.

Anthurium Crystallinum

With a beautiful foliage, the Anthurium Crystallinum is an easy to maintain indoor plant.

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Anthurium warocqueanum

Native to Colombia, this is a rare Anthurium variety which has a velvet foliage and has a dark shade of green leaves that may have be in different shapes and patterns. The Anthurium warocqueanum is also known as the queen Anthurium.

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Anthurium andreanum

Also known as the flamingo flower, the Anthurium andreanum is a common houseplant that has leaves that are in the shape of heart and a flower bulb that is encompassed in a colourful bract. Different Anthurium varieties have different colour bracts.